The Garretson Blue Dragons 5th grade team went to Elkton, SD for their final tournament of the year. They won all 3 games and brought home the first place medal from their division. It was a great way to finish the season. - submitted by Coach Jeromy Van Beek
The Garretson School District is in the process of uploading digital copies of yearbooks from the past.
A few years back, Mr. Johnson had the opportunity to get all of our past yearbooks sent off and made into digital copies, and we are now in the process of uploading those digital copies for the public to be able to view.
We are missing several years, so we will be sending out a message to see if anybody has an old yearbook that we could scan and turn into a digital copy. The multimedia class has also been working on taking pictures of our graduation class composites. These will also be available for the public to see online.
We have many other things cooking as far as a connection with our school’s history. Be on the lookout for more information later this spring. -Matt Schrank, Technology Director, Garretson School District
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Bart Pfankuch and Stu Whitney
South Dakota News Watch
President Donald Trump has wasted little time fufilling a campaign promise to cut the size and cost of the federal workforce, with the assistance of Elon Musk and his Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
The changes are happening fast and furious across numerous agencies and departments, including in South Dakota. But very little official information about the cuts is being provided to the press or public.
In an effort to help readers understand the impact of the cuts, South Dakota News Watch compiled this article showing what cuts are known and their ongoing or potential impacts.
South Dakota state epidemiologist Joshua Clayton said cuts to positions and programs at the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention could reduce communication on critical diseases in the U.S.
Clayton told News Watch he is aware of cuts by DOGE and what he said is a "communication freeze" at the agency. So far, he doesn't believe the cuts have hampered South Dakota's ability to track or prevent infectious diseases.
But the potential exists, Clayton said, that information sharing between the federal agency and states -- in both directions -- could be hampered if the CDC is unable to track infectious diseases and inform states of updates as usual. The lack of communication is likely to make it more difficult for states to keep abreast of fast-moving diseases, such as avian flu or the measles outbreak in the Southwest, Clayton said.
"The communications freeze does make it difficult sometimes to hear about things that we should have awareness of at the state health department level," Clayton said. "Due to some of their communication freeze, (CDC) has not been as communicative around the H5N1 (bird flu) response as they have been in the past in early January and before."
Based on what he has heard, the communication reduction at CDC has affected other states more than South Dakota, Clayton said.
"I don't know at this point who has all been removed from the federal roles. But for those that I'm aware of that have affected some other jurisdictions, thankfully not South Dakota, that has impacted some of their capabilities, whether that's direct follow up and response by losing epidemiology staff or in those that are conducting those investigations," he said.
"The manner in which people have been removed from positions, and the communications freeze, do make it difficult sometimes to hear about things that we should have awareness of at the state health department level."
Rodney Koch, who raises soybeans and other crops north of Garretson, in eastern South Dakota, hopes the federal government will re-open funding for agricultural conservation programs that have helped him modernize and improve the health of his farm.
Koch, 38, has previously taken advantage of grants and training provided through the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Conservation Stewardship Program and Environmental Quality Improvement Program, both of which are now halted under Trump’s freeze on almost all federal grant and loan programs.
Koch said he has also been told that a few employees have lost their jobs at South Dakota offices of the Natural Resources Conservation Service, which administers several USDA programs.
According to the NRCS website, "as the USDA’s primary private lands conservation agency, (NRCS) we generate, manage, and share the data, technology, and standards that enable partners and policymakers to make decisions informed by objective, reliable science."
With new knowledge and some grant funding from USDA, Koch has been able to improve soil health on his farm, reduce runoff, lower pesticide use and diversify the crops he grows. Without the federal assistance, it is unlikely he would have known what to do or be able to afford to make positive changes in his operation, he said.
“I’ve seen what these changes have done for us and I’d like to see that continue,” Koch told News Watch on Feb. 20. “To convert from a full tillage system to no-till, or add a crop into your crop rotation, or try cover cropping ... there’s a ton of different incentives.”
Koch said farmers tend to do what they have done in the past or what their ancestors did. The USDA programs, he said, can “jumpstart” efforts by farmers to engage in more progressive and precision agricultural operations.
“It comes down to education, some grant funding and somebody to work with you to make some changes,” he said. “It’s pretty easy to always do what you’ve done or what you’ve been taught, and that’s nothing against the generation before me, but we’ve got to continue to evolve.”
Doug Sombke, president of the South Dakota Farmers Union, said "we've got a lot of pain" with NRCS layoffs and also the uncertain status of Farm Service Agency (FSA) loan officers, who help administer programs and loans for farmers and ranchers.
In a statement to News Watch, a USDA spokesperson said: "As part of this (cost-cutting) effort, USDA has released individuals in their probationary period of employment. Secretary (Brooke) Rollins understands the array of mission critical positions and programs at the department, and she will ensure that those areas have the resources and personnel they need to continue serving the American people.”
The FSA cuts extend to real estate, according to the DOGE “Wall of Receipts” website. Among the federal savings listed is the closure of the Codington County Farm Services Agency in Watertown, with “termination details still being finalized.”
The site lists the annual lease cost as $238,328 and total savings as $278,049.
A number of federal employees who lost their jobs due to DOGE cuts have taken to social media platforms to share their stories, and their frustration. Here is one example from a South Dakota woman who was ousted in February.
Until last month, Liz Renner, a graduate of Augustana University in Sioux Falls, was rising quickly in her chosen career path as a wildlife biologist.
Not long ago, after a stint working the South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks Department, Renner had landed her "dream job" as a researcher with the U.S Fish and Wildlife Service in Yankton. Renner was working on pallid sturgeon conservation on the Missouri River from the Gavins Point National Fish Hatchery and Aquarium.
In a lengthy and emotional public Facebook post on Feb. 17, Renner said she was told on Feb. 14 that her probationary position in the agency had been eliminated as part of the widespread federal job cuts made by Musk, working under the auspices of Trump's new Department of Government Efficiency.
Renner did not respond to a News Watch request for an interview.
She wrote that while facing health issues, she had obtained advanced degrees and had worked extremely hard to receive a positive first performance review, undergo continuing education training and be selected to attend a national fisheries leadership academy later in February.
After quickly packing up her things and saying goodbye to co-workers, Renner said she suddenly felt disillusioned about her life.
Renner wrote that after losing her job, she is moving in with her grandmother to help on the farm, and may also tend bar or substitute teach to get by. Renner said the job cut hurts more because many in her family have served the country in military or public service, and she said she is worried over the future strength and stability of the U.S. under its current leadership.
Renner described her feelings about the DOGE cuts in this way:
"To say I'm devastated doesn't even scratch the surface. ... It wasn't just a paycheck to me: it was a calling. I don't expect billionaires who have never scraped by on a graduate stipend eating ramen from a campus food bank or bounced around as an underpaid seasonal technician or worked to collect data in grueling or dangerous weather conditions to understand that level of commitment to conservation, to understand the sacrifices thousands of us have made on behalf of the species and habitats we're passionate about conserving. These sweeping cuts will do immediate and lasting harm to our nation's public lands and waters, to our wildlife and natural resources."
Renner signed off in her message by saying, "With love and rage, Dr. Liz Renner, newly unemployed and unmuzzled." As of March 2, Renner's post had more than 1,500 reactions, 315 comments and 1,000 shares.
The oldest agency within the Department of the Interior is the Bureau of Indian Affairs, which provides services to predominantly Native American communities, commonly through contracts and grants.
One of those contracts, awarded to Akicita Cyber LCC of the Lower Brule Sioux Tribe, was cancelled recently as part of federal funding audits conducted by the Trump administration.
The original contract was for $434,024 to provide translation services as part of business support services. The end date was changed from Sept. 3, 2029, to Feb. 13, 2025, meaning the funds provided decreased from 81% from $434,024 to $81,757.
Mike Shvenderman, CEO of Akicita Cyber LCC, also known as Akicita Federal, confirmed to News Watch that the contract has been cancelled. He did not respond to inquiries about the specifics of the grant nor why it was cut short.
Akicita Federal was federally registered in October 2022 and has received over $21.5M in federal contracts, according to HigherGov.com. The company’s services include medical staffing, construction project management, cybersecurity and business consulting.
Native American tribal leaders in South Dakota are preparing for economic impacts as Congress negotiates a new budget that is expected to include significant cuts across federal programs and services.
Some of the primary concerns center around Medicaid funding, Head Start programs, health programs and public safety.
"These programs are barely surviving on what they get now," John Long, chief of staff of the Oglala Sioux Tribe, told News Watch. "We just had a meeting with our program directors trying to come up with contingency plans if these cuts come, and it's going to be difficult."
Frank Star Comes Out, president of the 54,000-member tribe, testified before a House Appropriations subcommittee on Feb. 25 in Washington. He addressed concerns about treaty obligations and reductions in law enforcement on the Pine Ridge reservation, a subject of past legal disputes with the Bureau of Indian Affairs.
"I believe those treaties are being violated and challenged today with this current administration, and I'd like to see that change," Star Comes Out told committee members. "We're a huge tribe with a large population and lots of area to cover as far as roads and schools, and on top of that, we have to come here and fight for funding for our people."
Nearly 1,000 Indian Health Service (IHS) employees nationally were laid off as part of an executive order Feb. 14, but the order was later rescinded.
South Dakota’s primary refugee resettlement program still faces uncertainty after being identified for funding cuts in early February.
On Feb. 3, Lutheran Social Services of South Dakota president and CEO Rebecca Kiesow-Knudsen responded to social media messages from Musk and former U.S. national security adviser Michael Flynn “falsely claiming that Lutheran organizations, including ours, have illegally received federal payments and engaged in money laundering."
Kiesow-Knudsen added in that statement to News Watch that the messages “indicated an intention to defund our organization as a result. These accusations are completely baseless and inaccurate.”
Kiesow-Knudsen declined comment on Feb. 25.
LSS helps resettle immigrants and refugees through its Center for New Americans. It’s an affiliate of Global Refuge, a nonprofit organization formerly known as Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service.
The organization said it helped resettle 206 refugees in South Dakota in fiscal year 2023, many from war-torn countries such as the Congo, Ethiopia and Sudan.
The Trump administration's plan to freeze federal grants and loans is on hold while being litigated in federal court, leaving organizations such as LSS in limbo in terms of the services they can provide.
Organizations submit payment requests that are reimbursed by the federal government. Not knowing when or if those reimbursements are coming could lead to changes in strategies or services rendered.
On Feb. 25, a federal judge in Seattle blocked Trump’s effort to halt the nation’s refugee admissions system through executive order.
The ruling came in a lawsuit brought by major refugee aid groups, who argued that Trump’s executive order suspending the federal refugee resettlement program ran afoul of the system Congress created for moving refugees into the U.S.
Lawyers for the administration argued that Trump’s order was well within his authority to deny entry to foreigners whose admission to the U.S. “would be detrimental to the interests of the United States.”
The DOGE cuts of probationary employees has included elimination of some staff positions at U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs facilities in South Dakota, according to Eve Derfelt, a deputy director in the VA public affairs office.
The VA has three South Dakota hospitals — in Sturgis, Hot Springs and Sioux Falls — and operates nine regional clinics, two veterans help centers and three national cemeteries, according to the VA website.
“The VA facilities in South Dakota dismissed a small number of probationary staff,” Derfelt said in an email to News Watch. “This decision will have no negative effect on veteran health care, benefits or other services and will allow VA to focus more effectively on its core mission of serving veterans, families, caregivers and survivors."
Derfelt said she could not provide further information about specific personnel moves due to privacy concerns.
On a national level, Veterans Affairs leaders dismissed more than 1,400 probationary employees on Feb. 24, the second round of mass layoffs at the department this month, according to Military Times.
After DOGE job cuts and an ongoing staffing shortage, former National Park Service employee Sydney Hansen isn't sure whether anyone will be available to lead popular cave tours at Jewel Cave National Monument in the Black Hills moving forward.
Or, for that matter, if anyone will be on the job to pull weeds at the park.
Hansen, 24, was hired as a physical science technician at Jewel Cave in June and was using her master's degree in geology to do research on caves, rocks and soil at the national monument site. She also "wore many hats" at the park, leading discussions to educate the public, working to protect habitat of endangered species and managing invasive species at the park, which included removing weeds from the property.
On Feb. 14, Hansen was in the final stages of training to lead cave tours in preparation of the upcoming summer tourist season. Jewel Cave and Wind Cave national parks are both low on staff to take visitors on the tours, she said.
After emerging from a cave, she received a text message to report to the park office, where she found an email saying she had been terminated from her position.
"My heart just dropped," she recalled in an interview with News Watch. "We were told we were safe if we had a good employee evaluation, so I felt pretty good."
According to recent reports, the park service has eliminated 1,000 jobs and accepted 700 early retirement offers from employees as part of the DOGE employment crackdown. The effects of the cuts are being felt around the country, as visitor centers closed at sites in Arizona, some parks restricted open hours and patron wait times have increased.
Hansen worries for the many park service employees who lost their jobs, but also about what the cuts will mean for the parks and the public. A hiring freeze in the park service won't help fill any gaps, she said.
"It’s only going to get worse, and I can’t even imagine how some of these busy parks are going to operate this summer," she said. "They're going to be hurting."
The most hurtful part of losing her job was the reason the termination letter cited: "The Department determined that you have failed to demonstrate fitness or qualifications for continued employment."
In an October job performance review Hansen provided to News Watch, she received an overall rating of "exceeds expectations" and was complimented repeatedly by her supervisor.
Hansen is uncertain about her future and might seek a job as a substitute teacher to make ends meet. When hired at Jewel Cave, she bought a house in nearby Newcastle, Wyoming, and only has enough money to pay bills for about two months.
"I’m still definitely upset about it and unsure where I’m going to go next because there’s not a lot of jobs in the geology field," she said.
Obtaining details about job cuts within the NPS has been difficult. The state is home to several parks and monuments, including Jewel Caves, Wind Cave, Badlands and Mount Rushmore.
An official at Badlands National Park directed inquiries to a spokeswoman from the NPS Midwest regional office, which oversees South Dakota facilities. The spokeswoman did not return a call from News Watch seeking information or comment.
The employee cuts in NPS drew the attention and ire of a group of 22 Democratic U.S. senators who wrote a letter to Interior Secretary Doug Burgum on Feb. 7, urging him to undo cuts to staffing at national parks and monuments.
The letter asked Burgum to rescind deferred resignations, early retirement officers and the revocation of offers to seasonal employees within the NPS.
Beyond those position cuts, NPS had rescinded employment offers to about 6,000 seasonal employees who help manage the surge in visitors to parks and monuments in the summer, though the Trump administration said it has since reversed the seasonal worker cuts.
But if the seasonal workers are not hired as promised, the senators warned that, "visitor centers may close, bathrooms will be filthy, campgrounds may close, guided tours will be cut back or altogether cancelled, emergency response times will drop, and visitor services like safety advice, trail recommendations and interpretation will be unavailable."
The senators noted that in the 2010s, the NPS cut its staffing by 15% at a time when park visitation rose by 15%. The culmination of probationary position cuts, early retirements and threats to eliminate seasonal staffing could put parks and monuments in "chaos."
A Department of Interior report said that in 2023, the national park system attracted 325.5 million visitors and generated $55.6 billion in economic impact. Parks also supported 415,400 local jobs and generated $26.4 billion in revenue for communities surrounding the parks.
"Americans showing up to national parks this summer and for years to come don't deserve to have their vacations ruined by a completely preventable, and completely irresponsible, staffing shortage," said the letter, whose lead author was Sen. Jeffrey Merkley, D-Oregon, ranking member of the subcommittee on interior and environment. "And local economies don't deserve to have their livelihoods destroyed for political gain."
The Associated Press contributed to this story, which was produced by South Dakota News Watch, an independent, nonprofit organization. Read more stories and donate at sdnewswatch.org and sign up for an email to get stories when they're published. Contact Bart Pfankuch at and Stu Whitney at .
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By Seth Tupper, South Dakota Searchlight
South Dakota voters will decide next year whether to continue requiring Medicaid expansion if federal support for the program declines.
The state Senate voted 31-3 on Monday at the Capitol in Pierre to support a resolution that will send the question to voters. The House had already approved the measure, which does not require a signature from the governor.
The question will appear on the ballot in the November 2026 general election.
Medicaid is government-funded health insurance for people with low incomes, and for adults and children with disabilities. In 2022, South Dakota voters expanded Medicaid eligibility to adults with incomes up to 138% of the poverty level, to capitalize on a 90% federal funding match included in the Obama-era Affordable Care Act. The expansion is part of the state constitution and can only be altered by voters.
The resolution approved Monday will ask voters to authorize the termination of Medicaid expansion if federal support falls below 90%. Speculation about a reduction in federal Medicaid expansion funding has been swirling as the Trump administration and a Republican-controlled Congress look for spending cuts.
Sen. Casey Crabtree, R-Madison, sponsored the resolution in the Senate. He said if the federal government reduces its support to 70%, the state would be responsible for an additional $72 million to sustain Medicaid expansion.
“South Dakotans at that point would have to consider whether they want cuts to other programs, including public safety, education and others,” Crabtree said.
Nearly 30,000 South Dakotans have enrolled in expanded Medicaid coverage so far. Sen. Liz Larson, D-Sioux Falls, unsuccessfully argued against the resolution. She said Medicaid expansion has saved lives in South Dakota.
“People shouldn’t die because they can’t afford to live,” Larson said.
Last fall, South Dakota voters authorized state officials to consider imposing work requirements on people covered by Medicaid expansion. The state has not yet applied for federal permission to impose those requirements.
South Dakota Searchlight is part of States Newsroom, a network of news bureaus supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. South Dakota Searchlight maintains editorial independence.
By Joshua Haiar, South Dakota Searchlight
Some Republicans, many of them aligned with anti-abortion groups, are tired of South Dakotans petitioning their ideas onto the ballot.
“There are things being put on the ballot that they can’t get through the Legislature,” said Brian Gosch, a Republican former state lawmaker who lobbies for clients including South Dakota Family Voice Action, which opposes abortion rights. “They’re trying to bypass that process to go around it and then get their way through some other means.”
Gosch was testifying recently on behalf of legislation that would limit how often similar ballot questions can be proposed to voters. The bill is one of many that Republican lawmakers have proposed during the current legislative session at the Capitol in Pierre to crack down on citizen-backed ballot measures. The bills include efforts to reduce the time for signature gathering, to require signatures from every legislative district in the state, to raise the threshold to pass a constitutional amendment to 60%, and more.
Rep. Erin Healy, D-Sioux Falls, said citizens putting issues on the ballot that their lawmakers will not entertain is a good thing.
“They’re trying to let the people decide; they’re trying to participate in democracy,” Healy said. “And Republicans here in this building continue to try to completely just squash their voice, and that’s wrong, and that’s undemocratic, and I’m tired of it.”
Nancy Turbak Berry is a Democratic former legislator who is co-chairing an effort to bring an abortion-rights measure to the ballot in 2026.
“The Legislature knows they are out of touch with what most South Dakotans want,” she said. “So, they want to limit our ability to put stuff into law. Plain and simple.”
The “Protect Our Initiatives Coalition” was recently launched in response to the wave of ballot measure legislation.
“The sponsors of these bills attacking our initiative process say they are trying to stop out-of-state money from flooding our elections, but we don’t buy that the solution should be a systemic attack on the initiated process itself,” said Chase Jensen of Dakota Rural Action, one of 10 coalition members.
The state has three types of statewide ballot measures: constitutional amendments, initiated measures and referendums.
To be placed on the ballot, citizen-backed constitutional amendments need petition signatures from registered voters equal to 10% of the votes cast in the last election for governor. The current signature requirement is 35,017. State lawmakers can also send constitutional amendments to the ballot.
Initiated measures propose an ordinary law, and referendums put a law passed by legislators on the ballot, with each requiring signatures equal to 5% of the votes cast in the last governor’s race. That threshold is 17,508 signatures.
This year’s legislation includes:
All of the bills are pending in various parts of the legislative process.
Rep. Rebecca Reimer, R-Chamberlain, is sponsoring the bill to require petition signatures from all legislative districts in the state. She said the bill addresses concerns that ballot measures advance with signatures concentrated in Minnehaha and Pennington counties, the two most populous in the state.
“This ensures amendments have real statewide support before they go to the voters,” Reimer said.
The bill was supported by the state’s most prominent anti-abortion group, South Dakota Right to Life, which played a leading role in defeating a ballot measure in November that would have restored abortions rights in the state.
“We believe that we will continue to see – unless there’s a change – those who do not share our pro-life values using the current signature requirement mechanism to try and skew the process,” said Dale Bartscher, South Dakota Right to Life’s executive director.
The bill’s opponents said South Dakotans from across the state already have their voices heard on ballot measures when they vote. They said the bill would make it harder for citizens to put a question on the ballot.
Rep. John Hughes, R-Sioux Falls, is sponsoring the effort to raise the vote threshold for constitutional amendments to 60%. He said the bill would make it harder for nonresidents of the state to change the state’s constitution.
“This ensures only amendments with overwhelming public backing are adopted,” Hughes said.
Hughes pointed to the 2024 abortion-rights ballot measure receiving large donations from Think Big America, an issue-advocacy nonprofit launched by Democratic Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker with a focus on supporting abortion rights. Pritzker’s wife was raised in South Dakota. The measure was rejected by 59% of voters.
Another bill proposes amending the deadline for filing petitions to initiate a law or constitutional amendment in South Dakota. Rep. Jon Hansen, R-Dell Rapids, introduced it. He serves on South Dakota Right to Life’s board of directors.
Hansen’s bill would move the deadline from May to February of a general election year, shortening the period petition sponsors could collect signatures by three months.
Hansen said the purpose of the change is to ensure sufficient time for legal challenges and verification of signatures. Hansen helped lead an effort to challenge the signatures for the 2024 abortion-rights measure.
“Six months is just not long enough to litigate these disputes,” Hansen told fellow representatives in the House.
During the bill’s committee hearing, opponents argued the changes would limit South Dakotans’ ability to bring forward ballot measures, making the process more difficult.
A proposed constitutional amendment introduced by Republicans would require any new but similar ballot measures rejected by voters in the prior election to wait until at least one general election has passed before the question could appear on the ballot again.
Zebediah Johnson, a Garretson alumni, is with the Voter Defense Association of South Dakota and testified against the measure. He said the bill would unduly restrict the initiative process while not imposing similar restrictions on the Legislature.
“A defeated initiative is not without merit,” he said. “If the people of South Dakota decide to petition their government for change, they should be allowed to do so.”
Former state Sen. Reynold Nesiba, a Sioux Falls Democrat, returned to Pierre during a committee hearing on the legislation. He mentioned South Dakota’s status as the first state to allow initiatives and referendums in 1898, and he called citizen-backed ballot measures a safeguard against big money and power influencing the Legislature.
“Under God, the people rule,” Nesiba said. “This is a fundamental part of who South Dakota is.”
Bartscher, with South Dakota Right to Life, spoke in favor of the bill. He said abortion-rights groups continue to push for ballot measures.
“People are telling us across the state, they want a break,” Bartscher said. “South Dakotans are tired. They’re fatigued of all the campaigning, of all the commercials, and the postcards.”
State lawmakers don’t appear to be heeding that alleged fatigue. They have introduced 11 bills of their own this legislative session that would appear as questions on the 2026 ballot.
Other bills that would impact the ballot measure process include legislation that would require petition signers to list the address and county where they are registered to vote, rather than merely the address where they reside, and prevent the Secretary of State’s Office from counting signatures without the information; change how petitions for ballot initiatives are formatted; allow fiscal estimates for ballot measures to be updated closer to elections; and require the secretary of state to review ballot initiatives for compliance with the state’s single-subject rule. That review is already required for constitutional amendments.
South Dakota Searchlight is part of States Newsroom, a network of news bureaus supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. South Dakota Searchlight maintains editorial independence.
THE MINNEHAHA COUNTY COMMISSION CONVENED AT 10:15 AM on February 25, 2025, pursuant to adjournment on February 25, 2025. COMMISSIONERS PRESENT WERE: Bleyenberg, Heisey, and Kippley. Commissioners Beninga and Karsky were absent. Also present were Kym Christiansen, Commission Recorder, and Eric Bogue, Chief Civil Deputy State's Attorney.
Vice-Chair Bleyenberg called the meeting to order.
MOTION by Kippley, seconded by Heisey, to Amend the Agenda by Deferring Item #9-Consider an Abatement Application Recommended for Denial by the Department of Equalization on Parcel 14045 for Year 2024 Property Taxes $98.10 to the March 4, 2025, meeting. 3 ayes.
MOTION by Kippley, seconded by Heisey, to Approve the Agenda as Amended. 3 ayes
CONSENT AGENDA
MOTION by Heisey, seconded by Kippley, to Approve the Consent Agenda. By roll call vote: 3 ayes. The consent agenda includes the following items:
Commission Meeting Minutes for February 18, 2025
Bills to be Paid $811,927.39
A&B BUSINESS SOLUT Maintenance Contracts $17.57, A&B BUSINESS SOLUT Office Supplies $14.86, ACCREDITATION AUDIT Subscriptions $150, ADVANCED TECH INC Consultants $925, AIRWAY SERVICE INC Gas Oil & Diesel $58.63, ALL NATIONS INTERPRE Interpreters $4824.45, ALL-IN PRINTING Other Supplies $256.57, ANGEL, EDWARD P Attorney Fees $3201.5, AUTOMATIC BUILDING C Contract Services $4332, AVERA MCKENNAN Hospitals $2589, BB RENTALS Welfare Rent $1000, BEADLE WEST Welfare Rent $700, BILLION AND WEBER LA Attorney Fees $2060.5, BLACKBURN & STEVENS Attorney Fees $349.46, BOUNDARY LLC Welfare Rent $1400, BRISTOL COURT LTD PA Welfare Rent $1000, BUDGET AUTO REPAIR Automotive/Small Equipment $260, C & B OPERATIONS LLC Bridge Repair & Maintenance $799.99, CENTURY BUSINESS PRO Maintenance Contracts $80.33, CENTURYLINK LONG DIS Telephone $10.62, CHAGOLLA, ALBERT Interpreters $60, CINTAS CORPORATION Janitorial Chemical Supplies $182.5, CINTAS CORPORATION Uniform Allowance $46.68, CPI/GUARDIAN Inmate Supplies $7427.27, DAKOTA DISTRICT PIPE Program Activities $250, DAKOTA EMBALMING & T Transportation $5700, DAKOTA FLUID POWER I Small Tools & Shop Supplies $168.54, DAKOTA SPLASH Water - Sewer $46.95, DAKOTA SUPPLY GROUP Jail Repairs & Maintenance $552.79, DONELAN, TRAVIS Business Travel $117.25, DOUBLE H PAVING INC Snow Removal $11035, EEKHOFF LAW PROF LLC Child Defense Attorney $1479.43, EICH LAW OFFICE LLC Attorney Fees $1742.5, ELECTION SYSTEMS & S Software/Licensing $9271.34, ELIASON, RENEE G TRU Abatement Interest $99.95, FASTENAL COMPANY Small Tools & Shop Supplies $635.23, FOX, DANIEL Bd Exp Fees (Yankton) $206.47, GANNETT MEDIA CORP Publishing Fees $961.49, GEOTEK ENGINEERING & Outside Repair $125, GLOBAL TEL LINK (GT Telephone $3.65, GOEBEL PRINTING INC Printing/Forms $681.5, GP PSYCHIARTY CONSUL Psych Evals $4800, GRAHAM TIRE CO NORTH Automotive/Small Equipment $639.12, GRIESE LAW FIRM Attorney Fees $1240, GRIESE LAW FIRM Child Defense Attorney $345.5, GUNNER, ANDREA Court Reporters $205.35, GUZMAN, SANDRA V Interpreters $180, HERITAGE FUNERAL HOM Burials $2000, HIGH POINT NETWORKS Subscriptions $8839, HYDRAULIC WORLD INC Parts Inventory $1071, HYVEE ACCOUNTS RECEI Program Activities $136.47, IMEG CORP Architects & Engineers $2041.17, INNOVATIVE OFFICE SO HHS Custodial Supplies $7464.59, INNOVATIVE OFFICE SO JDC Custodial Supplies $7978.83, INTEK Contract Services $240, INTERSTATE ALL BATTE Automotive/Small Equipment $162.95, INTERSTATE ALL BATTE Office Equipment Repair $364, INTERSTATE OFFICE PR Office Supplies $807.48, ISI LLC Interpreters $100, JCL SOLUTIONS Kitchen/Cleaning Supplies $198, JD PROPERTY SOLUTION Welfare Rent $700, JEFFERSON VILLAGE AP HS Donations $1187, JEFFERSON VILLAGE AP Welfare Rent $757, JERRY & BARB VAN VLI Abatement Interest $32.44, JOHNSON PROPERTIES L Sign Deposits $50, KATTERHAGEN, MARK Bd Exp Fees (Yankton) $88, KRUSE LAW OFFICE Attorney Fees $3397, LACEY RENTALS INC Road Maint & Material $140, LARSON, VALERIE Bd Exp Fees (Yankton) $44, LEWIS & CLARK BEHAVI Bd Evaluations (Yankton) $1800, LEWNO LAW OFFICE Bd Exp Fees (Yankton) $680.19, LOPEZ, REBECA Interpreters $390, LOVING, PHILIP Bd Evaluations (Minnehaha) $1860.85, LUTHER, JEFF Medical Director $2750, LUTHERAN SOCIAL SVCS Miscellaneous Expense $17850, MAC'S HARDWARE Hwy Shop Repairs & Maintenance $16.65, MARTELL, REBECCA L Taxable Meal Allowances $28, MEADOWLAND APARTMENT Welfare Rent $801.07, MENARD INC Janitorial Chemical Supplies $32.15, MENARD INC Small Tools & Shop Supplies $59.8, MIDWEST BOILER INC Fairgrounds $15306.16, MIDWESTERN MECHANICA Contract Services $2929, MOLLY OLSON Clinics - Auxiliary Services $168.1, MOTION AND FLOW CONT Truck Repairs & Maintenance $468.24, MRG HAUFF LLC Uniform Allowance $169.5, MURRAY APARTMENTS Welfare Rent $75, MYERS, ZACKERY Road Maint & Material $192, NGUYEN, LAM Interpreters $30, NYBERGS ACE HARDWARE Grounds & Parking Repair $84.76, O'LEARY LAW OFFICE Attorney Fees $419.5, OFFICE DEPOT INC Data Processing Supplies $100.55, OLSON, ROBERT Taxable Meal Allowances $18, OTTERPOHL, EMMA Business Travel $42.88, PARK VIEW APTS Welfare Rent $900, PATRICK KAISER Business Travel $136, PHOENIX SUPPLY LLC Inmate Supplies $3435.44, PHOENIX SUPPLY LLC Safety & Rescue Equipment $232.08, PIEDMONT PLASTICS Program Activities $1740, PIONEER ENTERPRISES Burials $4500, PRICE, THOMAS L Professional Services $2400, PRICE, THOMAS L Psych Evals $3840, PRIDE NEON, INC Automotive/Small Equipment $460, R&L SUPPLY LTD Jail Repairs & Maintenance $58.8, R&L SUPPLY LTD Plumbing & Welding $138.88, RENTOKIL NORTH AMERI Contract Services $358.43, RIDGEVIEW APTS LLC Welfare Rent $900, RINGING SHIELD,NICHO Bd Evaluations (Minnehaha) $660, RISK ANALYSIS & MANA Insurance Admin Fee $2957.5, SANFORD CLINIC Contract Services $30101.46, SANFORD CLINIC Lab Costs $291, SCHAEFER, WILLIAM M Bd Exp Fees (Yankton) $44, SCILAWFORENSICS LTD Professional Services $4550, SD ASSOC OF COUNTY C Miscellaneous Expense $625, SD HUMAN SERVICES CE Psych Evals $1200, SD STATE BAR Legal Research $500, SIOUX EMPIRE FAIR AS Miscellaneous Expense $12500, SIOUX FALLS CITY Clinics - Auxiliary Services $90, SIOUX FALLS CITY Electricity $8450.89, SIOUX FALLS CITY Miscellaneous Expense $337327.95, SIOUX FALLS CITY Water - Sewer $17211.84, STATE OF SOUTH DAKOT Amts Held-Daily Scram $4289, STATE OF SOUTH DAKOT Amts Held-Remote Breath $1011, STATE OF SOUTH DAKOT Architects & Engineers $2273.67, STATE OF SOUTH DAKOT Blood/Chemical Analysis $80, STATE OF SOUTH DAKOT Miscellaneous Expense $43, STATE OF SOUTH DAKOT Printing/Forms $300, STATE OF SOUTH DAKOT Professional Services $86.5, STATE OF SOUTH DAKOT Telephone $51, STREICHERS INC Uniform Allowance $189, SUMMIT FOOD SERVICE Board Of Prisoners-Meals $66423.63, SUMMIT FOOD SERVICE Inmate Supplies $223.89, THELIN CENTER APARTM Welfare Rent $1800, THOMSON REUTERS - WE Legal Research $3123.62, THOMSON REUTERS - WE Subscriptions $314.04, TRANE Contract Services $1967, TRANE Fairgrounds $11.24, TRI-STATE NURSING Professional Services $2595.5, TULSA COUNTY COURTHO Return Of Service $50, TWO WAY SOLUTIONS IN Communication Equipment Repair $84.24, TYLER TECHNOLOGIES I Maintenance Contracts $87478.19, TYLER TECHNOLOGIES I Software $13363.43, TZADIK SIOUX FALLS I Welfare Rent $700, TZADIK TAYLORS PLACE Welfare Rent $700, ULINE Other Supplies $257.9, ULTEIG ENGINEERS INC Architects & Engineers $430, VB TOWER LP Welfare Rent $300, VITAL RECORDS Archive/Preservation Supplies $1419.9, VITAL RECORDS Records Storage $4643.25, XCEL ENERGY Electricity $4059.12, XCEL ENERGY Utility Alignment $20683.2, XCEL ENERGY INC Welfare Utilities $811.48, YANKTON COUNTY Return Of Service $250.
February 2025 Commission Salaries
COMMISSION Salaries $38,504.24
AUDITOR Salaries $65,048.96
TREASURER Salaries $107,284.30
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY Salaries $100,586.67
STATES ATTORNEY Salaries $493,030.82
PUBLIC DEFENDER Salaries $288,515.17
PUBLIC ADVOCATE Salaries $92,561.57
FACILITIES Salaries $67,078.61
EQUALIZATION Salaries $124,928.67
REGISTER OF DEEDS Salaries $54,196.83
HUMAN RESOURCES Salaries $41,449.49
SHERIFF Salaries $1,581,388.34
JUVENILE DETENTION CENTER Salaries $243,450.48
HIGHWAY Salaries $169,766.04
HUMAN SERVICES Salaries $174,627.56
MUSEUM Salaries $98,685.00
PLANNING Salaries $44,214.75
EXTENSION Salaries $3,880.00
The following report was received and placed on file in the Auditor's Office:
Coroner Report January 2025
Human Services 4th Quarter Report for 2024
Routine Personnel Actions
Promotions
1. Robert Spalding, temporary promotion from Correctional Officer to Corporal for the Jail, at $30.26/hour (17/1), effective 03/01/2025.
Step Increases
1. Renne Voss, Accounting Manager for the Auditor's Office, at $47.22/hour (19/13), effective 03/01/2025.
2. Lori Montis, Assistant Director for Human Services, at $3,968.00/biweekly (21/9), effective 02/08/2025.
3. Robert Harrison, Investigator for the State's Attorney's Office, at $39.73/hour (16/12), effective 01/22/2025.
Special Personnel Actions
1. Kelly Marrnette, Senior Deputy State's Attorney for the State's Attorney's Office, at $4,718.40/biweekly (22/12) effective 02/24/2025.
Abatement Applications
Recommeded for Approval by the Director of Equalization
Parcel-71760, Assessment Freeze, 2024 Property Taxes, $984.91
Parcel-42666, Veteran Exempt PT10-4-40, 2023 Property Taxes, $172.93
Parcel-42666, Veteran Exempt PT10-4-40, 2024 Property Taxes, $1,965.63
Parcel-46328, Tre Ministries, 2024 Property Taxes, $283.84
Parcel-46329, Tre Ministries, 2024 Property Taxes, $305.45
Parcel-46330, Tre Ministries, 2024 Property Taxes, $730.49
Parcel-46331, Tre Ministries, 2024 Property Taxes, $343.63
Parcel-46332, Tre Ministries, 2024 Property Taxes, $487.71
Parcel-46334, Tre Ministries, 2024 Property Taxes, $1,125.84
Parcel-46335, Tre Ministries, 2024 Property Taxes, $2,700.77
Parcel-46337, Tre Ministries, 2024 Property Taxes, $599.37
Parcel-46338, Tre Ministries, 2024 Property Taxes, $3,629.36
Parcel-11217, Assessment Freeze, 2024 Property Taxes, $2,252.83
Parcel-34529, Assessment Freeze, 2024 Property Taxes, $1,531.60
Parcel-44460, City of Sioux Falls, 2024 Property Taxes, $830.48
Parcel-98027, Dakota State University, 2024 Property Taxes, $20,836.42
Parcel-96644, City of Brandon, 2024 Property Taxes, $1,084.59
Parcel-96567, City of Brandon, 2024 Property Taxes, $126.75
Parcel-97357, City of Brandon, 2024 Property Taxes, $773.60
Notices and Requests
Public Notice of Permit Application was received from the US Army Corps of Engineers Submitted by Crusher Investment Company to Build a Residential Development in Wetlands Abutting an Unnamed Tributary to Skunk Creek located in the SE1/4 of Section 17, Township 101 North, Range 50 West, approximately 1.5 miles West of Family Park on the North Side of West 12th Street, Minnehaha County, South Dakota
SAFETY COMMITTEE BRIEFING
Maria Munkvold, Safety Committee Chair, presented the annual briefing for the Minnehaha County Safety Committee. The Minnehaha County safety committee met monthly during 2024 to review workers' compensation claims as well as any liability claims the County may have had in order to discuss preventability and possible changes to avoid future injuries. Safety committee members also complete routine building inspections of various County buildings, which include the Energy Plant, Juvenile Detention Center, Annex, Equalization, Highway Shop, Health and Human Services, and the County Administration Building. In 2024, the following training sessions were held: First Aid/AED Training, Defensive Driving, Back Injury Prevention, and Slips, Trips and Falls Prevention. Finally, the presentation discussed the award that was received from the South Dakota Public Assurance Alliance as well as the annual training conference and loss control credit.
BID RESULTS
Jacob Maras, Interim Highway Superintendent, reported on the bid opening for Project MC25-05 Mill and Overlay held on February 5, 2025. The project includes surface millings and paving approximately 9.12 miles on County Highways 127, 129, 139, and 145. The following bids were received: Central Specialties, Inc. with a total bid of $2,318,454.05; Asphalt Surfacing Co. with a total bid of $2.454.375.51; Black Top Paving with a total bid of $2,464,929.88; Bituminous Paving, Inc. with a total bid of $2.469,832.60; Double H Paving, Inc. with a total bid of $2,611,220.25; and Duininck, Inc with a total bid of $2,825,532.18. MOTION by Kippley, seconded by Heisey, to Approve Bid Results and Award Recommendation for Project MC25-05 Mill and Overlay and Authorize Chair to Sign an Agreement with Central Specialties, Inc. By roll call vote: 3 ayes.
Jacob Maras, Interim Highway Superintendent, reported on the bid opening for Project MC25-01 Chip Seal and Crack Seal held on February 5, 2025. The project includes crack sealing and chip sealing on approximately 9 miles on County Highways 110, 134, 151, and 155. The project was bid with a base bid and two alternates. Alternate 1 was County Highway 151 in Hartford. The City of Hartford agreed to pay for the chip seal on that road since it is shared ownership and Minnehaha County paid for an overlay in 2023. Alternate 2 was Palisades Rd near Garretson. The County included this section of road for Palisades Township. The contract will be awarded based on the overall lowest bidder for the base bid and all alternates combined. Both the City of Hartford and Palisades Township will enter into their own contracts for their respective alternates while the County will award the base bid. The following bids were received: The Road Guy with a base bid of $463,161.70 and a total bid of $567,216.65; Asphalt Surface Tecnologies Corp (ASTECH) with a base bid of $456,911.75 and a total bid of $569,567.94; and Bituminous Paving, Inc with a base bid of $481,026.50 and total bid of $608,744.25. MOTION by Kippley, seconded by Heisey, to Approve Bid Results and Award Recommendation for Project MC25-01 Chip Seal and Crack Seal and Authorize Chair to Sign an Agreement with The Road Guy Construction Co., Inc. By roll call vote: 3 ayes.
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
Meredith Jarchow, Assistant Commission Administrative Officer, provided an update for the 2025 Legislative Session. Some important dates to note regarding the Legislative session are March 6, which is the last day to move required delivery of bills or joint resolutions by a committee of the second house; March 10, which is the last day for a bill or joint resolution to pass both houses; March 13, which is legislative day 37; and March 31, which is legislative day 38 and the day reserved for consideration of gubernatorial vetoes. The briefing when on to summarize the legislation that the Commission Officer is following. The briefing included information on various House Bills (HB) and Senate Bills (SB). HB 1019 has been deferred to the 41st Legislative Day. HB 1043 was originally deferred to the 41st day by House Local Government, reconsidered and tabled in House Appropriations. HB 1125 was delivered to the Governor on February 21. HB 1241 was deferred to the 41st day. SB 2 and SB 5 were signed by the Governor on February 10 as well as SB 13. SB 49 has been deferred to the 41st Legislative Day. SB 74 was signed by the Governor on February 12. SB 198 would establish conditions a prospective condemner must satisfy before commencing condemnation proceedings. SB 211 was deferred to the 41st Legislative Day. The briefing went on to highlight HCR 6003, which would provide for an interim study regarding property tax reduction and preservation of the American dream to own a home. Finally, Assistant Commission Administrative Officer Jarchow provided an update regarding SB 216, which Senate State Affairs amended, passed 8-1; SB 37, which was passed by the Senate; and HB 1235 which was heard by the House on February 25. Auditor Anderson provided an update regarding various election bills.
OPPORTUNITY FOR PUBLIC COMMENT
Cindy Meyer, Hartford, SD, provided an update on various election bills.
COMMISSIONER LIAISON REPORTS
Commissioner Heisey provided an update regarding the Treasurer's Office's transition to the 605 Drive system.
Commissioner Kippley reported on the recent meeting of the Planning and Zoning Commission and recruitment of future attorneys for the State's Attorney's Office and Public Defender's Office.
MOTION by Kippley, seconded by Heisey, to Enter into Executive Session pursuant to SDCL 1-25-2 (1), (3), (4), and (6) at 11:00 a.m. 3 ayes.
Vice-Chair Bleyenberg declared the executive session concluded at 11:14 a.m.
MOTION by Kippley, seconded by Heisey, to Adjourn at 11:15 a.m. 3 ayes.
The Commission adjourned until 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 25th, 2025.
APPROVED BY THE COMMISSION:
Dean Karsky
Chair
ATTEST:
Kym Christiansen
Commission Recorder
Published at the total approximate cost of $192.66 and can be viewed for free at www.sdpublicnotices.com. 3-6-25_1tc
THE MINNEHAHA COUNTY COMMISSION CONVENED AT 5:00 PM on February 25, 2025, pursuant to adjournment on February 25, 2025. COMMISSIONERS PRESENT WERE: Bleyenberg, Heisey, and Kippley. Commissioners Beninga and Karsky were absent. Also present were Kym Christiansen, Commission Recorder, and Maggie Gillespie, Senior Deputy State's Attorney.
City Council members present: Barranco, Cole, Merkouris, Spellerberg, and Thomason. City Council Members Basye, Sigette, and Soehl as well as Mayor TenHaken were absent.
Vice-Chair Bleyenberg called the meeting to order.
MOTION by Kippley, seconded by Heisey to Approve, to approve the agenda. 3 ayes. The City concurred.
REZONING PUBLIC HEARING
Kevin Hoekman, Planner, was present for the public hearing and gave the second reading for rezoning request #25-01 to consider an amendment to the Revised Minnehaha County and City of Sioux Falls to rezone property from Mapleton Golf Planned Development District to A-1 Agricultural District on the property legally described as SW1/4 NW1/4 Section 25-T102-R49W Mapleton Township. Mapleton Golf Planned Development was developed to construct a private golf course with supporting structures. This request will remove approximately 40 acres of land which did not develop into the golf course back into A-1 Agricultural zone land. The rezoning will allow an area to temporarily hold building eligibilities for a future transfer to adjacent land. The transfer will require a conditional use permit and approval by the Joint Planning Commission. The parcel is located southeast of the golf course and north of Interstate 90. It is separated from the golf course by Slip Up Creek, which meanders along the west side of the 40-acre parcel. The property is currently being used as agriculture, and the rezoning will better reflect the current land use of the property for agricultural production. The future transfer of the building eligibilities is in preparation for much of the petitioner's land to be annexed into the City of Sioux Falls. The Joint Planning Commission heard this item during the January 27, 2025, meeting and unanimously voted to recommend approval of the rezoning request.
Vice-Chair Bleyenberg asked for proponents and opponents to speak on the topic. There were no proponents or opponents in attendance to speak on the rezoning request.
MOTION by Kippley, seconded by Heisey, to Approve Ordinance MC30-52-25 An Ordinance of Minnehaha County, SD, Amending the Revised Joint Zoning Ordinance for Minnehaha County and the City of Sioux Falls by Rezoning Certain Property. By roll call vote: 3 ayes. The City Concurred.
OPPORTUNITY FOR PUBLIC COMMENT
Chad Bishop, Sioux Falls, spoke about the City polices related to diversity, equity, and inclusion as related to actions from the federal government.
MOTION by Kippley, seconded by Heisey, to Adjourn at 5:09 p.m. 3 ayes. The City Concurred.
The Commission adjourned until 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday, March 4th, 2025.
APPROVED BY THE COMMISSION:
Dean Karsky
Chair
ATTEST:
Kym Christiansen
Commission Recorder
Published at the total approximate cost of $35.15 and can be viewed for free at www.sdpublicnotices.com. 3-6-25_1tc
THE MINNEHAHA COUNTY COMMISSION CONVENED AT 9:00 AM on February 25, 2025, pursuant to adjournment on February 18, 2025. COMMISSIONERS PRESENT WERE: Beninga, Bleyenberg, Heisey, and Kippley. Commissioner Karsky was absent. Also present were Kym Christiansen, Commission Recorder, and Eric Bogue, Chief Civil Deputy State's Attorney.
City Council Members present were: Haak, Hanzlik, Berg, Jones, Ronshaugen, Mier, Cavigielli, Mayor Earley. Council member Nelson was absent.
Vice-Chair Bleyenberg called the meeting to order.
MOTION by Beninga, seconded by Kippley, to Approve the Agenda. 4 ayes. The City Concurred.
CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT APPEAL
Kevin Hoekman, Planner, was present for the public hearing to consider an appeal of a decision by the Joint Planning Commission to Approve Conditional Use Permit #25-02 to allow outdoor industrial storage. The property is legally described as Lot 11 E of Highway 77 (Ex. N4 Acres & Ex. Lots A, B, E, F, G & Ex. Part of Tract 1 Weelborg Addition) Section 16 and Part of Outlot A Lying E of Highway (Ex. Weelborgs Addition & H2) Section 21 all in T104N-R49W Dell Rapids Township. The petitioner is Roberta Luttmann and the property owner is RJ Weelborg LLC. The applicant is seeking a conditional use permit to allow outdoor industrial storage at 24670 475th Ave in Dell Rapids. The Joint Planning Commission heard this item at the January 27th Planning Commission. Prior to the meeting, a presentation was submitted in opposition to the hearing. Several neighborhood residents spoke in opposition to the request at the Planning Commission hearing. Many of the concerns brought by neighbors centered on the unsightliness of storage on the property. The County Planning Commission amended the recommended conditions to add to Condition #3 that vehicles and trailers shall be licensed. The Dell Rapids Planning Commission amended the recommended conditions to add a compliance date of July 1, 2025, to review that conditions are being met. Both Planning Commissions unanimously approved the request for outdoor storage with 11 conditions as amended. Following the appeal, additional materials were submitted for consideration. Since the Joint Commission and City Council have the ability to amend the Joint Planning Commission decision, the applicant submitted a request to amend two conditions. The submitted request is specific to conditions #3 regarding license requirement and #10 regarding the pre-annexation agreement.
Vice-Chair Bleyenberg called for proponents and opponents to speak on the topic. Tommy Johnson, representative of the petitioner, spoke in favor of the conditional use permit. The following people spoke in opposition to the conditional use permit: Dan Richardson, Cathy Richardson, Jeff Fiegen, Nikki Harrington, and Zach Apland. Mr. Johnson provided a rebuttal on behalf of the petitioner.
MOTION by Heisey, seconded by Kippley, to Remove the Pre-Annexation Agreement with the City of Dell Rapids as a Condition.
SUBSITUTE MOTION by Kippley, seconded by Beninga, to Remove the Licensing Status and Pre-Annexation Agreements as a Condition. Motion and second were withdrawn.
Vote on the original motion to remove the pre-annexation agreement. By roll call vote: 4 ayes.
MOTION by Kippley, seconded by Beninga, to Remove the Licensing Status as a Condition. By roll call vote: 3 ayes with 1 Nay-Heisey. The City Did Not Concur. Motion Failed.
MOTION by Kippley, seconded by Heisey, to Approve Conditional Use Permit #25-02, as amended by the Commission to remove the pre-annexation agreement condition. By roll call vote: 4 ayes. The City Concurred.
ORDINANCE TEXT AMENDMENTS
Kevin Hoekman, Planner, was present for the public hearing and gave the second reading to consider revisions to the Revised Joint Zoning Ordinance for Minnehaha County and the City of Dell Rapids related to regulations for intermodal shipping/storage containers. Shipping containers are increasingly being used for various purposes, including individual storage and as building blocks for construction throughout Minnehaha County. The increase in the use of shipping containers is leading to increased complaints by neighbors concerned about the unsightliness of the metal boxes. Regulations regarding the use of shipping containers do not exist in the joint zoning ordinance, but the most recent building code book includes a section to regulate the use of shipping containers as a building material for larger structures such as sheds and even houses. The proposed ordinance amendment makes changes in three sections of the zoning ordinance. The greatest amount of change takes place in the accessory building section of the Additional Use chapter of the ordinance. Regulations for intermodal shipping/storage containers are included with general requirements and specific requirements for each zoning district. The temporary use sections include a 90-day allowance of shipping containers without building permits and a definition is added to the Definitions chapter. This item was heard during the January 27, 2025, meeting of the Joint Dell Rapids and Minnehaha County Planning Commissions and was recommended for approval.
Vice-Chair Bleyenberg asked for the proponents and opponents to speak on the proposed ordinance amendment. There were no proponents or opponents in attendance to speak on the topic.
MOTION by Beninga, seconded by Kippley, to Approve Ordinance MC28-22-25, An Ordinance of Minnehaha County, SD, Amending the 2001 Revised Joint Zoning Ordinance for Minnehaha County and the City of Dell Rapids by Amending Article 12.07, Accessory Buildings and Uses, Article 12.11, Temporary Uses, and Article 26.00, Definitions. By roll call vote: 4 ayes. The City Concurred.
The entire ordinance is on file at the Auditor's Office.
Scott Anderson, Planning Director, was present for the public hearing and gave the second reading to consider revisions to the Revised Joint Zoning Ordinance for Minnehaha County and the City of Dell Rapids related to Vacation Home Rental/Short Terms Rental as conditional use in five (5) zoning districts. The proposed ordinance amendment would also create criteria for the use and add a definition for Vacation Home Rental/Short Term Rental to the Zoning Ordinance. The need to address, accommodate and regulate vacation homes and short-term rentals has come to light over the past year and a half. This use will continue to present itself throughout the county and this proposed ordinance amendment attempts to provide a fair framework on how the use can be accommodated. The criteria proposed by staff attempts to be fair to the applicant and the surrounding neighborhood in order that the use can be compatible. The proposed ordinance sets guidelines for the number of occupants per bedroom and requires minimum parking requirements. The contact information for the owner/manager will be required to be posted on site and provided to the Planning Department for issues to be addressed by both renters and planning staff. This item was heard during the January 27, 2025, meeting of the Joint Dell Rapids and Minnehaha County Planning Commissions and was recommended for approval.
Vice-Chair Bleyenberg asked for the proponents and opponents to speak on the proposed ordinance amendment. There were no proponents or opponents to speak on the topic.
MOTION by Beninga, seconded by Heisey, to Approve Ordinance MC28-20-25, An Ordinance of Minnehaha County, SD, Amending the 2001 Revised Joint Zoning Ordinance for Minnehaha County and the City of Dell Rapids by Amending Article 3.00, A-1 Agricultural District, Article 4.00, RR-1 Rural Residential District, Article 4A.00, RR-5 Rural Residential District, Article 5.00 R-1 Residential District, Article 9.00, RC Recreation/Conservation District, Article 12.00 Additional Use Regulations, and Article 26.00 Definitions. By roll call vote: 4 ayes. The City Concurred.
The entire ordinance is on file at the Auditor's Office.
Scott Anderson, Planning Director, was present for the public hearing and gave the second reading on an ordinance amendment to clarify long-term or rental of property in the joint jurisdiction. The proposed amendment would add a section to the Additional Use Regulations that states that it is not the intent of the Joint Zoning Ordinance to prohibit the long-term lease or rental of property provided the use is legal. This would apply to the lease of property such as farmland, mini-storage units, residential leases and other long-term rental or leases of property. This item was heard by the Joint Planning Commission at the January 27, 2025, meeting and unanimously recommended approval of the ordinance amendment.
Vice-Chair Bleyenberg asked for the proponents and opponents to speak on the proposed ordinance amendment. There were no proponents or opponents to speak on the topic.
MOTION by Kippley, seconded by Beninga, to Approve Ordinance MC28-21-25, An Ordinance of Minnehaha County, SD, Amending the 2001 Revised Joint Zoning Ordinance for Minnehaha County and the City of Dell Rapids by Amending Article 12.00 Additional Use Regulations. By roll call vote: 4 ayes. The City Concurred.
The entire ordinance is on file at the Auditor's Office.
MOTION by Kippley, seconded by Heisey, to Adjourn at 10:01 a.m. 4 ayes. The City Concurred.
The Commission adjourned until 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, February 25th, 2025.
APPROVED BY THE COMMISSION:
Dean Karsky
Chair
ATTEST:
Kym Christiansen
Commission Recorder
Published at the total approximate cost of $102.56 and can be viewed for free at www.sdpublicnotices.com. 3-6-25_1tc
STATE OF SOUTH DAKOTA) SS COUNTY OF MINNEHAHA)
IN CIRCUIT COURT SECOND JUDICIAL CIRCUIT In the Matter of the Petition of Hilary Ann Stockwell, For a Change of Name to Hilary Ann Davis.
49CIV:25-857
Notice is hereby given that a Verified Petition for Adult Name Change has been filed by Hilary Ann Stockwell, the object and prayer of which is to change Petitioner’s name from Hilary Ann Stockwell to Hilary Ann Davis.
On the 25th day of March, 2025, at the hour of 11:00 a.m. said Verified Petition will be heard by this Court before the Honorable Judge Mowery, at the Court Room in the Minnehaha County Courthouse, City of Sioux Falls, Minnehaha County, South Dakota, or as soon thereafter as is convenient for the court. Anyone may come and appear at that time and place and show reasons, if any, why said name should not be changed as re- quested.
Dated this 14th Day of Febuary, 2025 at Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
Attested by, Cathy Arant Clerk of Court.
Published four times at the approximate cost of $53.11 and can be viewed for free at www.sdpublicnotices.com. 2-20-25-4tc
An ordinance amending Ordinance MC30-02, the Revised Joint Zoning Ordinance for Minnehaha County and the City of Sioux Falls.
The Minnehaha County Board of Commissioners and Sioux Falls City Council jointly adopted Ordinance 30-52-25 on February 25, 2025. This ordinance amended Ordinance MC30-02, the Revised Joint Zoning Ordinance for Minnehaha County and the City of Sioux Falls by rezoning property legally described as the SW ¼ NW ¼ of Section 25, T102N, R49W, Minnehaha County, SD and amending the official zoning map referred to in Article 2.03(A) to include the property within the A1-Agricultural District.
The entire ordinance is on file in the office of the County Auditor and available for inspection during regular business hours.
Leah Anderson
County Auditor
Published twice at the total approximate cost of $21.09 and can be viewed for free at www.sdpublicnotices.com. 3-6-25_1tc
An ordinance amending MC28-01 the 2001 Revised Joint Zoning Ordinance for Minnehaha County and the City of Dell Rapids.
The Minnehaha County Board of Commissioners adopted Ordinance MC28-20-25 on February 25, 2025. Ordinance MC28-01, the 2001 Revised Joint Zoning Ordinance for Minnehaha County and the City of Dell Rapids was amended to add Vacation Home Rental/Short Term Rental as a conditional use in the A-1 Agriculture District, RR-1 Rural Residential District, RR-5 Rural Residential District, R-1 Residential District, Recreation/Conservation District; Vacation Home Rental/Short Term Rental in the Additional Use Regulations and a definition for Vacation Home Rental/Short Term Rental.
The entire ordinance is on file in the office of the County Auditor and available for inspection during regular business hours.
Leah Anderson, County Auditor
Published twice at the total approximate cost of $22.37 and can be viewed for free at www.sdpublicnotices.com. 3-6-25_1tc
An ordinance amending the 2001 Revised Joint Zoning Ordinance for Minnehaha County and City of Dell Rapids.
The Minnehaha County Board of Commissioners adopted Ordinance MC28-22-25 on February 25, 2025. This ordinance amended Ordinance MC28-01, the 2001 Revised Joint Zoning Ordinance for Minnehaha County and City of Dell Rapids by amending Articles 12.07 Accessory Building and Uses, 12.11 Temporary Use, and Article 26.02 Definitions.
The entire ordinance is on file in the office of the County Auditor and available for inspection during regular business hours.
Leah Anderson
County Auditor
Published twice at the total approximate cost of $17.89 and can be viewed for free at www.sdpublicnotices.com. 3-6-25_1tc
An ordinance amending MC28-01 the 2001 Revised Joint Zoning Ordinance for Minnehaha County and the City of Dell Rapids.
The Minnehaha County Board of Commissioners adopted Ordinance MC28-21-25 on February 25, 2025. Ordinance MC28-01, the 2001 Revised Joint Zoning Ordinance for Minnehaha County and the City of Dell Rapids was amended to add Long Term Lease or Rentals to Article 12 – Additional Use Regulations.
The entire ordinance is on file in the office of the County Auditor and available for inspection during regular business hours.
Leah Anderson, County Auditor
Published twice at the total approximate cost of $15.98 and can be viewed for free at www.sdpublicnotices.com. 3-6-25_1tc
Notice is hereby given that a joint meeting of the Sioux Falls and Minnehaha County Planning Commissions will be held at 7:00 p.m. on March 24, 2025 in the Commission Room of the County Administration Building, 415 N Dakota Ave., Sioux Falls, SD, where there will be a public hearing to consider the following amendments to the Revised Joint Zoning Ordinance for Minnehaha County and the City of Sioux Falls.
ZONING TEXT AMENDMENTS related to the following:
Article 3.04 – To add Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) as an allowed use with approved conditional use permit
Article 4.04 – To add Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) as an allowed use with approved conditional use permit
Article 5.04 – To add Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) as an allowed use with approved conditional use permit
Article 6.04 – To add Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) as an allowed use with approved conditional use permit
Article 7.04 – To add Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) as an allowed use with approved conditional use permit
Article 8.04 – To add Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) as an allowed use with approved conditional use permit
Article 13.04 – To add Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) as an allowed use with approved conditional use permit
Article 15.20 – To add a section to Additional Use Regulations to regulate an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU)
Article 24.02 – Definitions – to add and amend definitions related to Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs)
All interested persons may appear and be heard.
Meeting Assistance: Accommodations for meetings will be provided for persons with disabilities upon request. Please contact the County Commission Office at (605) 367-4206 (Voice or TDD) 24 hours in advance of the meeting.
Dated: February 25, 2025
Published at the total approximate cost of $23.79 and can be viewed for free at www.sdpublicnotices.com. 3-6-25_1tc
Notice is hereby given that a joint meeting of the Sioux Falls and Minnehaha County Planning Commissions will be held at 7:00 p.m. on March 24, 2025 in the Commission Room of the County Administration Building, 415 N Dakota Ave., Sioux Falls, SD, where there will be a public hearing to consider the following amendments to the Revised Joint Zoning Ordinance for Minnehaha County and the City of Sioux Falls.
ZONING TEXT AMENDMENTS related to the following:
Article 3.04 – To amend requirements to transfer a building eligibility between parcels.
Article 13.04 – To amend requirements to transfer a building eligibility between parcels.
All interested persons may appear and be heard.
Meeting Assistance: Accommodations for meetings will be provided for persons with disabilities upon request. Please contact the County Commission Office at (605) 367-4206 (Voice or TDD) 24 hours in advance of the meeting.
Dated: February 25, 2025
Published at the total approximate cost of $13.49 and can be viewed for free at www.sdpublicnotices.com. 3-6-25_1tc
Notice is hereby given that at a meeting of the Minnehaha County Planning Commission will be held at 7:00 p.m. on March 24, 2025 in the Commission Room of the County Administration Building, 415 N Dakota Ave., Sioux Falls, SD., where there will be a public hearing to consider the following amendments to the 1990 Revised Zoning Ordinance for Minnehaha County.
ZONING TEXT AMENDMENTS related to the following:
Article 3.04 – To add Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) as an allowed use with approved conditional use permit
Article 4.04 – To add Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) as an allowed use with approved conditional use permit
Article 5.04 – To add Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) as an allowed use with approved conditional use permit
Article 9.04 – To add Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) as an allowed use with approved conditional use permit
Article 12.19 – To add a section to Additional Use Regulations to regulate an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU)
Article 26.02 – Definitions – to add and amend definitions related to Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs)
All interested persons may appear and be heard.
Meeting Assistance: Accommodations for meetings will be provided for persons with disabilities upon request. Please contact the County Commission Office at (605) 367-4206 (Voice or TDD) 24 hours in advance of the meeting.
Dated: February 25, 2025
Published at the total approximate cost of $19.53 and can be viewed for free at www.sdpublicnotices.com. 3-6-25_1tc
Notice is hereby given that a joint meeting of the Sioux Falls and Minnehaha County Planning Commissions will be held at 7:00 p.m. on March 24, 2025 in the Commission Room of the County Administration Building, 415 N Dakota Ave., Sioux Falls, SD, where there will be a public hearing to consider the following amendments to the Revised Joint Zoning Ordinance for Minnehaha County and the City of Sioux Falls.
ZONING TEXT AMENDMENTS related to the following:
Article 3.04 – To amend requirements to transfer a building eligibility between parcels.
Article 9.04 – To amend requirements to transfer a building eligibility between parcels.
All interested persons may appear and be heard.
Meeting Assistance: Accommodations for meetings will be provided for persons with disabilities upon request. Please contact the County Commission Office at (605) 367-4206 (Voice or TDD) 24 hours in advance of the meeting.
Dated: February 25, 2025
Published at the total approximate cost of $13.85 and can be viewed for free at www.sdpublicnotices.com. 3-6-25_1tc
Voter registration for the Garretson School District #49-4 School Board Election to be held on April 8, 2025, will close on March 24, 2025 at 5:00 p.m. Failure to register by this date will cause forfeiture of voting rights for this election. If you are in doubt about whether you are registered, check the Voter Information Portal at www.sdsos.gov or call the county auditor at 605-367-4220.
Registration may be completed during regular business hours at the county auditor's office, municipal finance office, secretary of state's office, and those locations which provide driver's licenses, SNAP, TANF, WIC, military recruitment, and assistance to the disabled as provided by the Department of Human Services. You may contact the county auditor to request a mail-in registration form or access a mail-in form at www.sdsos.gov.
Any voter who needs assistance, pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, may contact the county auditor for information and special assistance in voter registration.
Jacob Schweitzer, Business Manager
(Person in charge of election - Title)
Garretson School District #49-4
(Political Subdivision)
Published twice at the total approximate cost of $28.76 and can be viewed for free at www.sdpublicnotices.com. 3-6-25_1tc
Voter registration for the City of Garretson General Election to be held on April 8th, 2025, will close on March 24, 2025 at 5:00 pm. Failure to register by this date will cause forfeiture of voting rights for this election. If you are in doubt about whether you are registered, call the County Auditor at 605-367-4220.
Registration may be completed during regular business hours at the county auditor’s office, municipal finance office, and those locations which provide driver’s licenses, food stamps, TANF, WIC, military recruitment, and assistance to the disabled as provided by the Department of Human Services.
Voters with disabilities may contact the county auditor for information and special assistance in voter registration, absentee voting, or polling place accessibility.
Paetyn Dreckman
Finance Officer
City of Garretson
Published twice at the total approximate cost of $23.00 and can be viewed for free at www.sdpublicnotices.com. 3-6-25_1tc
SCHOOL BOARD MINUTES
Special Meeting Garretson School District #49-4 6:00 p.m. February 25, 2025
Present: President Natasha Mendoza, Vice President Tana Clark, Board Member Wyatt Compton, Board Member Shannon Nordstrom & Board Member Justin VanDeBerg. Others present: Superintendent Guy Johnson, Angela Bly, Jacki Liester, Carrie Moritz & Amber Schroeder.
At 6:00 p.m., the Board convened in the Library at the Garretson School District for a special board meeting. All votes are unanimous, unless specifically noted in the minutes.
President Mendoza led the Pledge of Allegiance and welcomed guests and visitors.
President Mendoza called for any additions or corrections to the Board agenda. There were no additions or corrections presented.
Action 25-070: Motion by Compton, second by VanDeBerg, to approve the agenda as presented. Motion carried.
Action 25-071: Motion by Clark, second by VanDeBerg, to go into executive session, pursuant to SDCL 1-25-2, subsection 1: A Personnel Matter. Motion carried. The Board entered executive session at 6:02 p.m.
President Mendoza declared the Board out of executive session at 8:58 p.m.
Action 25-072: Motion by Clark, second by VanDeBerg, to adjourn at 8:59 p.m. Motion carried.
Approved by the Garretson Board of Education this _____ day of _________, 2025.
Board President, Natasha Mendoza Business Manager, Jacob Schweitzer.
Published at the total approximate cost of $23.43 and can be viewed for free at www.sdpublicnotices.com. 3-6-25_1tc
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN That the governing body, sitting as a Review Board of Equalization for
Sherman Township/Municipality, Minnehaha County, SD, will meet at the City Town Hall in said
taxing jurisdiction on 18th day of March, 2025 for the purpose of reviewing and correcting the
Assessment of said taxing district for the year, 2025.
All persons considering themselves aggrieved by said assessment, are required to notify the clerk
Of the local board no later than March 11th, 2024 of their intention to appeal their assessment.
Sherman Township
Cheryl Swenson Town Clerk
Published twice at the total approximate cost of $17.89 and can be viewed for free at www.sdpublicnotices.com. 3-6-25_1tc
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN That the governing body, sitting as a Review Board of Equalization for The Municipality of Garretson, Minnehaha County, South Dakota, will meet at the Garretson City Hall in said taxing jurisdiction on the 17th day of March 2025, 6:00 pm for the purpose of reviewing and correcting the assessment of said taxing district for the year 2025.
All persons considering themselves aggrieved by said assessment, are required to notify the municipal finance officer no later than March 13th, 2025, of their intention to appeal their assessment.
City of Garretson
Paetyn Dreckman
Finance Officer
Dated the 4th day of March 2025
Published twice at the total approximate cost of $19.17 and can be viewed for free at www.sdpublicnotices.com. 3-6-25_1tc
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the governing body, sitting as a Review Board of Edison Township, Minnehaha County, South Dakota, will meet at the Dale Zweep Shop located at 48059 255st St. in said jurisdiction on Monday, March 17, 2025 at 7 p.m. for the purpose of re- viewing and Correcting the assess- ments of said taxing district for the year 2025.
All persons considering them- selves aggrieved by said assess- ment are required to notify their clerk of the local board in writing and must be postmarked no later than Thursday, March 13, 2025, of their intention to appeal their assesment.
Given under my hand this 27th day of February, 2025.
-Adam Stiefvater Township Clerk 48259 255th St. Garretson SD, 57030 2-27-25-2tc
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN That the governing body, sitting as a Review Board of Equalization for the Highland Township in Minnehaha County, South Dakota, will meet at the Highland Lutheran Church in said taxing jurisdiction on the 17th day of March, 2025 at 7:00pm for the purpose of reviewing and correcting the assessment of said taxing district for the year, 2025. All persons considering themselves aggrieved by said assessment, are required to notify the clerk of the local board in writing no later than March 13th, 2025 of their intention to appeal their assessment. Highland Township Jill Fedders-Ellefson, Clerk 348335 48470 246th St. Sherman, SD 57030
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the governing body, sitting as a Review Board of Equalization for Palisades Township, Minnehaha County, South Dakota, will meet at the Garretson Fire Hall on Wednesday the 19th day of March, 2025 at 6 p.m. for the purposes of reviewing and correcting the assessment of said taxing district for the year of 2025.
All persons considering themselves aggrieved by said assessment are required to submit an Objection to Real Property Assessment from to the town- ship clerk BERT DANIELSON in writing no later than Thursday, March 13, 2025, of their intention to appeal their assesment.
-Bert Danielson Palisades Township Clerk 2-27-25 2tc
Former Garretson High School wrestler Doug Rinken was inducted into the Wrestling Coaches Hall of Fame this past weekend; a local man was arrested on charges of contact with a minor; and the city council heard from emergency services and discussed replacing water meters. Plus, senior Danika Juhl placed 6th at State and the Girls' Varsity Basketball team ended their season, and much more!
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Former Garretson High School wrestler Doug Rinken was inducted into the Wrestling Coaches Hall of Fame this past weekend; a local man was arrested on charges of contact with a minor; and the city council heard from emergency services and discussed replacing water meters. Plus, senior Danika Juhl placed 6th at State and the Girls' Varsity Basketball team ended their season, and much more!
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Garretson resident Corey E. Karber, 39, was booked in the Minnehaha County Jail in the afternoon of Friday, February 28 on charges of sexual contact with a child less than 16.
Karber has been a substitute teacher at the Garretson School District for the past three years.
In the affidavit provided for arrest, the victim was known to Karber, with several incidents that spanned over multiple years.
Upon booking, he was charged with two counts of sexual contact with a child and two counts of child abuse. Of the incidents charged, one was in 2025 and one was in 2021. He was scheduled for a hearing on Monday and bond was set at $20,000.
UPDATE 3/5/25: Story updated to reflect change in bond amount.
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